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Hattie Nesbitt was born in Union County, MS. on Oct. 12th 1882. She was a daughter of a slave which daily chores included cleaning, cooking, and more cooking.

She was promised to Henry Ray in 1901 and their family begin to grow immediately. To their union a total of 9 children was born.

Hattie had to find ways to feed her growing family which most times consisted of beans and greens but as a treat she made fried pies for the kids.

What is a “fried pie”? – An old southern dessert majority of the time consisting of a sweet filling wrapped in dough. With this gift, Hattie started making fried pies and biscuits and selling them to support the family. Times were tough and even though slavery was over, injustice was still being followed. One sad day in 1929, John, the youngest son, was killed which caused Lougenia (grandmother) to move out of MS. Moving from MS to Arkansas, St. Louis Mo, and the final destination KC MO, soon after the family followed.

Hattie taught all the girls her pie and biscuit making skills and this skill was passed from generation to generation. Hattie passed on Sept. 29, 1974.